Upon Further Review: The Colts didn't lose their mojo against the Jets and Bills after all

Brian Spurlock/US PresswireColts quarterback Peyton Manning is congratulated by Ravens defensive end Dwan Edwards and linebacker Terrell Suggs after the 20-3 victory over Baltimore.WHAT WE LEARNED

The Colts didn’t lose their mojo against the Jets and Bills after all. Remember the fuss rightfully made over Indy not taking a real run at 16-0? They had a 14-0 record and a 15-10 lead over the Jets when coach Jim Caldwell pulled QB Peyton Manning from the game in the third quarter, inviting the Jets to win the game, keep their playoff hopes alive and end Indy’s chance for an unprecedented, 19-0 Super Bowl championship season. Twice before in recent years, the move backfired on the Colts and they were immediately knocked from the postseason in the divisional round. Third time’s the charm, right? By whipping the Ravens, Indy will host the Jets or Chargers in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday.

You can’t take a full quarter off against Indy. The Ravens failed to net a first down in the second period. Meanwhile, the Colts compiled 12 of them, most on two drives that resulted in TDs 1:54 apart that turned a 3-3 game into a 17-3 lead with three seconds left in the first half. The second score was a gutsy call by Caldwell, who gave Manning the okay with :07 and no timeouts left to go for it on third-and-goal from the 3. The league’s MVP hit Reggie Wayne for a TD when the star WR reached over the goal line as he was being spun down to the ground before it. There were three seconds to spare. Whew!

BIGGEST QUESTION

What was the biggest play of the game?

Third quarter, with the Colts up 17-3, Ravens Pro Bowl FS Ed Reed picked off Manning and was streaking downfield with the return. WR Pierre Garçon ran Reed down along the right sideline for about 30 yards, finally catching up with him to punch the ball free. It was recovered by H-back Dallas Clark at Indy’s 28. On the ensuing drive, yet another INT and long return by Reed was wiped out by a Baltimore pass interference penalty.DID YOU NOTICE?

Former Rutgers LB Gary Brackett had a key first-half sack of Joe Flacco? The heart-and-soul of the Colts’ defense did a strong job of keeping an eye on RB Ray Rice, his fellow ex-Scarlet Knight, most of the evening.